Catching Fire: The New Story

Peeta Bruises His Cheek

Katniss's POV

I rush to Peeta who is now on the floor, groaning. He holds his cheek with his hands and kicks out at me as I approach on my knees. Haymitch picks me up before his foot can collide with my face. I scratch at Haymitch and kick at him and punch him until he lets me go. I crawl to Peeta again, staying away from his feet. Tears roll down my cheeks as I see him lay there in pain.

"What was that for?" I scream at Haymitch. I stand and push him back with all my strength. He isn't prepared and stumbles into a desk against a wall. Haymitch falls on the items and a cup filled with pens tumbles to the floor. Once Haymitch is unsteady, I rush back to Peeta. He still holds his face while groaning.

I grind my teeth together and lay Peeta's head on my lap. I smooth down his hair and wait for him to stop moaning. "Katniss," he breaths out.

"Shh."

"I'm guessing I'm not to touch the precious boy, or else the next arrow you send will be aimed at me? Hmm?" Haymitch smirks. I look up at him and glare with death and certainty that if he so as tries to touch Peeta again, I will murder him. Before I can fully tell my limbs to jump on him, Peeta's hands grab mine.

"I only did that 'cause you needed to be taken down a level. You'll go out of your mind if you start thinking like that, you just started this stuff. You're new, the both of you. You need my help. That was help."

Haymitch storms out of the room. I glare at him as he leaves, and he knows my eyes follow him. He doesn't look back. I help Peeta up, getting him on the dusty couch and keeping his head on my lap. I try to check for damage, but he says he is fine. I know is not fine. His cheek is a bright red, a little bit purple where a bruise is forming.

"Are you really okay?" I ask between my tears. I can't help but hiccup.

"Yes, I'm alright." Peeta sits up and gently touches his bruising cheek. He sighs. "Do you love me?"

Peeta looks at me, I don't really know what to say. I know the answer that he wants to hear, but it isn't the truth. I know the answer I feel, but it's not the answer he wants.

"I don't know, Peeta," is the best I can think to say without messing everything up more. I groan and let my face sit in my hands. I feel him stand to stare down at me.

"Then what, Katniss? Half the time you can't look me in the eye, the other I'm all you worry about. Am I that worthless to you?"

I scramble to my feet. "No! You are anything but worthless, Peeta! I'm sick of you-"

"You are very sick of me, aren't you? I should just leave you alone so you can go have fun with Gale? I am only a pity to you, aren't I?"

"I do not do anything with Gale, dammit!"

"I know about you two! You love him don't you? You've always been playing me like I was stupid? Didn't you ever think I would find out?" Peeta is so enraged, his face is red, hands in white fists. He looks around the room, at anything but me. He swings his arm at a yellow flower vase, with dead lilies hanging over the rim. The vase flies across the room, hitting the wall and shattering into a million little pieces. I flinch, gasping at the sharp sound.

To ever know that Peeta thinks like this breaks my heart, but it doesn't stop the anger that rushes through my veins, knowing he would ever see me like that. I take one look at Peeta, his heavy breathing and relaxed body, ready to pounce at any second. I know I am truly scared of him.

Peeta doesn't even check if I'm alright, he continues his rant as if I'm not even there.

"You two never tell me anything! Oh, and I know Haymitch was rooting for you in the Games. He never believed in me, he didn't think I had a chance. I am not that weak! I never have been!"

"I know, Peeta," I whisper. "And, I'm truly sorry about all of it. Just, please, calm down."

"Why should I? I have the right to be angry and yell! I have done nothing but sit here and act like an idiot when you two have a plan I am not aware of! You know how much of a dumb ass I look like? Why should I calm down?"

"Because you're scaring me! Please! I've had enough! I know Haymitch and I shouldn't have ever kept anything from you, it was a mistake that will never happen! Please!"

Peeta sighs and stares in my eyes. I am never scared, ever, but seeing Peeta like this, it is like my worst nightmare. Peeta yelling, acting crazy, going against me, it is the one thing I never thought of happening. He is usually so calm and keeps his angry to himself, never being rude. Look into my eyes, I know he can see himself now. He sits on the couch and sighs, rubbing his face. He winces when he presses on his purple cheek.

"I'm sorry," he apologizes.

"No," I say, sitting beside him. "I should be saying sorry, over and over again."

"I shouldn't have reacted like that, I'm sorry I scared you."

"Stop saying that! I made the mistake, I got you angry. I'm sorry."

"Alright, we should go before they send a search party."

Peeta stands and reaches for my hand. I take his and we start down the ladder. I can only look down in shame while we walk down the halls. Peeta walks beside me until we hear someone coming around the corner, he picks up my arm and wraps it around his. I stand up straight and we smile at the Peacekeepers walking by us. I don't fall back into my slump, but my smile fades.

"Hey, you two!"

Peeta and I turn around and see a Peacekeeper running toward us.

"Miss Everdeen? Mr. Mellark?" he asks, out of breathe.

"Yes?" we say. I take a step closer to Peeta.

"Follow me," he asks calmly. We nod and follow behind him. He stands at least six feet tall, possibly more.

*

Fixed it, it ended up shorter than before whoops!

~Jez xo